2013 Senior Bowl

01/25/2013:

10:46 a.m.: Several reports have emerged that Tyler Wilson (QB, Ark) has won the Senior Bowl practice award for QBs. It’s a great sign that Wilson is starting to re-emerge as the top QB in the 2013 Draft. FRG had Wilson as our #1 QB entering the 2012 season, but a sub-par campaign has made his stock suffer a bit. It would not surprise us to see Wilson build momentum toward being Kansas City’s pick at #1.

01/23/2013:

9:47 p.m.:

OL: I’m really intrigued by David Quessenberry (OT, San Jose St). He’s displayed some nice technique and adequate strength to project as a potential starter in the NFL (at either Guard or Tackle). Coming into Senior Bowl week, he looked like a Day 3 pick. However, he’s really enhanced his stock with his versatility as a swing lineman initially in his career. If he can bulk up a bit, he may develop into a viable Tackle. Larry Warford (OG, Kentucky) is a big-bodied, strong player. But I think he’s solidly behind Warmack (OG, Alabama) and Cooper (OG, UNC).

DL: Datone Jones (DE, UCLA) continues to shine. He was a Day 3 guy to start the week for me, but he’s absolutely jumped into possible 2nd round discussion. Violent hands, great motor. Don’t sleep on Alex Okafor (DE, Tex). He’s going to be one of the better defensive players to come out of this Draft when we re-evaluate three years from now. Brandon Williams (DT, Miss Southern St) is making himself some money. He’s consistently wining in his 1-on-1’s. Keep an eye on him. He’s firmly entrenching himself into a Day 2 guy. Kawaan Short (DT, Purdue) is doing a nice job putting himself into late-1st round consideration. Better than expected quickness in his first-step.

WR: I liked Aaron Mellette (WR, Elon) coming into the season. Had him as one of my top WRs, regardless of small school status. From the footage I’m watching, I’m more confident in my analysis. He is going to be a guy that makes plays in the NFL. He has a little “Anquan Boldin” in his game. Terrance Williams (WR, Baylor) looks the part. Big, fluid, fast. Getting open with ease. Absolutely in 1st round consideration. Quinton Patton (WR, La Tech) will make an impact in the NFL, but not as a big play guy. Possession WR. Great hands. Lacks separation speed.

RB: Johnathan Franklin (RB, UCLA) is going to have to time well at the Combine. Doesn’t appear to have a lot of pop in his legs. Productive player, but I don’t see a “wow” back.

QB: Lots of check-downs from the QBs in the footage aired. These guys have to let it rip a bit. Show some confidence in your arm. I was critical of Geno Smith (QB, WVU) for not participating this week. But his stock is going up by doing nothing.

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01/22/2013:

8:50 p.m.:

QB: A very underwhelming showing by all the QBs today. If you could shield yourself from the mass-media and NFL Draft analyst conversation, the practice performances (taken alone) would fail to reveal a first round quality QB. Both Mike Glennon (QB, NC State) and Zac Dysert (QB, Miami Oh) showed less than adequate arm strength/velocity on several throws, while Tyler Wilson (QB, Ark) failed to seize the opportunity to really distance himself from the pack. While some are down on EJ Manuel (QB, Fla St.), I tend to like his upside and overall arm strength. His accuracy on the deep ball is an issue, and it will ultimately keep him somewhere between rounds 3-5.

RB: Robbie Rouse (RB, Fresno St) lost a lot of money today. He was beaten, badly, in pass protection. His size is a liability; he won’t hold up as a pass protector in the NFL. That said, he won’t be expected to fill that role. Rouse looks like he is working his way into a sub-package projection/depth player. I wouldn’t be surprised if Rouse goes undrafted in April. On the other end of the spectrum, I was impressed with Johnathan Franklin (RB, UCLA) and what he flashed in pass protection. He delivered a nice jolt on contact and had good hand placement. Franklin is a guy to watch as we head into the Combine.

WR: Many are touting Quinton Patton (WR, La Tech) as a guy that could sneak into the 1st round. I will say this: He does the most important thing well…he catches the ball! But I question his ability to gain separation on the next level. He’s a good route runner, but the speed and recovery ability of NFL corners will close those gaps quickly. I don’t think he is quick enough to be a top-tier pass catcher in the NFL. He did nothing in his practice reps to make me think otherwise. Denard Robinson (WR, Michigan) really impressed me. He has a great initial burst and exceptionally quick feet. He’s going to make it as a WR in the League. He is going to rise up the board. Another WR that jumped off the practice footage to me was Tavarres King (WR, UGA). He ran smooth, sharp routes and flashed reliable hands.

TE: Lance McDonald (TE, Rice) has been making the most of his opportunities in Mobile. He’s getting a lot of positive press, and I was impressed by his smooth and athletic skillset. He’s a well-built guy who plays a lot lighter than his 260lb frame would suggest. I think he’s jumped up a round or two.

OL: For all the talk about the QBs, I think the #1 pick in the NFL Draft is going to come down to a battle of the Offensive Tackles. Eric Fisher (OT, Central Mich) looks every bit the part of a #1 overall selection. With the exception of Datone Jones’s (DE, UCLA) speed rush to the inside, Fisher stoned everyone he faced. He dominated Alex Okafor (DE, Tex) who is widely considered to be a late-1st, early-2nd round pick. Fisher is going to catch Luke Joeckel. And Joeckel and Fisher might not be the only Tackles to go in the top-10 come April. Lane Johnson (OT, Oklahoma) really “wowed” me in the footage I watched. He’s a big, long, athletic Tackle who displays a great combination of strength and speed.

DL: The shine is wearing off of both Ziggy Ansah (DE, BYU) and Margus Hunt (DE, SMU). While both players are physical specimens, I saw guys that will struggle to get to the edge in the NFL. At times, Hunt looked like he was running in quicksand. Ansah flashed better athleticism than Hunt, but I still don’t see a top-20 pick when I study Ansah. Datone Jones (DE, UCLA) really impressed me. He has some violent, fast hands and has a really good first step. He’s opening eyes this week.

LB: Incomplete

CB: Jordan Poyer (CB, Oregon St) is climbing his way right into the first round. This kid can flat out play. He has great footwork, stays compact in his drop, and reacts well to the ball.

S: Incomplete

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01/21/2013:

11:01 p.m.: With Justin Pugh (OT, Syr) and Kyle Long (OT, Ore) both measuring in with “short” arms, the Tackle class appears to have weakened a bit. That said, with both players now projecting as Guards, Pugh and Long add to an already impressive trio at the position (Warmack, Cooper, Warford).

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The 2013 Senior Bowl got started today with the weigh-ins and the first day of practices. Below is a list of the reported weigh-ins. Highly regarded Ezekiel Ansah (DE, BYU) is incomplete due to his late arrival to Mobile. While I’m not personally attending the Senior Bowl this year (I will be in 2014), there are several NFL Draft analysts from Twitter that are there in person. The following analysts should be followed this week for live updates and analysis:

Starting tomorrow, 01/22/2013, I will be updating this page with my thoughts on the practice footage aired by NFL Network. I will also be evaluating the comments made by many of the respected Draft analysts to get a sense of what is going on during this week’s NFL job interview.